Stunning news in the NFL could directly impact the New York Jets.
Mike Tomlin informed the Pittsburgh Steelers that he is “stepping down” as the head coach after 19 seasons, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. With a big-name coach potentially entering the market, Jets’ social media has been set ablaze at the possibility.
“If Mike Tomlin wants to take a year off, that is understandable, but the Jets absolutely have to see if he would take the job right now,” ESPN radio host Jake Asman said.
Tomlin has a Super Bowl ring as a head coach and has never had a losing season in his career.
The Latest Insider Reporting on Tomlin’s Future
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz explained that Tomlin was not fired by the team. He said Tomlin “voluntarily” left the organization.
That is an important distinction because that means Pittsburgh will retain his contractual rights.
“He would be in ultra high demand, should he still want to coach — even if he takes a year off. Translation: there is a scenario in which Pittsburgh could trade him down the road (eg Sean Payton),” Schultz explained on social media.
NFL Insider Ari Meirov said, “It seems likely he’ll take a year off, possibly do TV, and then become a trade candidate next year, similar to Sean Payton when the Saints held his rights and later traded him to Denver.”
In 2023, the Saints and Broncos struck a deal to ship off Payton in a rare coaching trade. After the 2022 season, Payton retired from coaching. A year later, he wanted to get back into it, but he was still under contract with New Orleans.
In the trade, the Saints received a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder in exchange for Payton and a 2024 third-rounder, per ESPN.
This Could Be a Great Backup Plan for the Jets
By all accounts, head coach Aaron Glenn isn’t going anywhere in 2026.
Several team insiders confirmed that the team is fully behind Coach Glenn. Those updates were provided after rumors about John Harbaugh potentially joining the Jets started swirling on social media.
However, if Glenn has another bad year in 2026, he could be looking for a job in 2027. If Tomlin takes a year off before returning to coaching, that could perfectly work with the Jets’ timeline.
“Can confirm what Adam Schefter has said. Mike Tomlin is not expected to coach next season, league sources say today,” Insider Joe Schad posted on social media.
Tomlin doesn’t appear to be ready to return to coaching. The Jets don’t want to make a change right now. Both of those realities could change next year.
ESPN radio host Jake Asman posted on social media, “If Mike Tomlin takes a year off, Woody Johnson better be waiting with a godfather offer in 2027.”
The Jets’ job next year should be incredibly attractive if it becomes available. Gang Green is set to have three first-round draft choices in 2027. According to Over The Cap projections, the Jets will have $190 million in cap space next year. That is expected to be the most in the league.
Jets Pushed to Move on From Aaron Glenn, Acquire Mike Tomlin